KICK OFF: Friday 23rd April, 8PM
Embed from Getty ImagesFresh from announcing their intentions to withdraw from the proposed controversial European Super League, Arsenal will be looking to get back to winning ways against top-four chasing Everton on Friday evening at the Emirates.
The Gunners currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, three points behind eighth-placed Everton, who still harbour slim hopes of finishing in the Champions League places this term despite a disappointing run of form.
The proposed European Super League appeared to come crashing down on Tuesday night as all six Premier League clubs confirmed their withdrawal; the Gunners will now be keen to put an incredible few days behind them as they look to end a rather frustrating league campaign on a high against Ancelotti’s Everton.
Mikel Arteta’s side come into this game four games unbeaten, including an impressive 4-0 showing away to Slavia Prague, setting up a Europa League semi-final date with former boss Unai Emery and Villareal, with the first leg taking place next week.
The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Fulham at the Emirates last weekend, needing a last-gasp equaliser from substitute Eddie Nketiah to secure a share of the spoils in a game Arteta will feel they should have won.
The Gunners are currently ninth in the table, having picked up just 46 points from their 32 league games this term; they are nine points off fourth-placed Chelsea but sit just four points behind seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur as the race for European positions continues.
Everton though, are on a disappointing run of six games without a win in all competitions, while they have not been victorious in the Premier League since beating West Bromwich Albion at the start of March. In fact, Everton have not tasted victory away to Arsenal since a 2-1 win in January 1996.
Ancelotti’s side has seen their top-four hopes dashed in recent weeks, picking up just three points from a possible 15 courtesy of a number of draws in their last five encounters.
A win for the Merseyside giants on Friday would put them firmly in the top-four picture, and they have been impressive on their travels this term, boasting the fourth-best away record in the Premier League.
PREMIER LEAGUE FORM:
Arsenal: DWDLWD
Everton: WLLDDD
TEAM NEWS:
Arsenal
Arsenal forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are ruled out of the game because of illness and injury respectively.
Embed from Getty ImagesMartin Odegaard is in light training after an ankle problem and will be assessed but David Luiz and Kieran Tierney remain sidelined.
Everton
Everton are boosted by the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has recovered from an abductor injury.
Yerry Mina, Bernard, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph should all be available again for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Xhaka; Partey, Ceballos; Pepe, Smith-Rowe, Saka; Nketiah
Everton: Pickford; Keane, Godfrey, Holgate; Coleman, Davies, Allan, Digne; Rodriguez; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
SCORE PREDICTION: Arsenal 1-2 Everton
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